It's all about the water at Rend Lake, where you can swim, boat, water ski and fish. Relax at Rend Lake Resort, tee off at the 27-hole Rend Lake Golf Course or do some target practice at the Rend Lake Shooting Complex. Also located at Rend Lake is the Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center, featuring more than 800 artists.

This semi-private, nine-hole course features a historic three-story clubhouse, surrounded by Lake Moses. Host of the annual Benton Gold Cup, the course also features a well-stocked pro shop, driving range, rental clubs and carts, and a golf pro on site.

Two cabins. Located off the southwest side of Rend Lake complete with full kitchen, two bedrooms, satellite TV, washer and dryer, front porch with swing, fire pit, barbecue grill and just 15 minutes off of Interstate 57.

South Marcum Campground sits along the banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. With plenty of unobstructed views of the water, campers are able to take in scenic sunsets as well as enjoy activities such as bank fishing, right from the campground.

A family owned farm provides a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. Features a general store, barn-o-rama, seasonal activities, and home grown pumpkins, and enjoy you-pick or pre-picked farm fresh strawberries and blackberries. Only 7 miles south of Rend Lake.

March 16, 2015 - Bluegill Music Festival will lunch its inaugural event on July 4, 2015 for a one-day festival packed with some of country music's hottest acts. The all-day festival will be complete with Southern Illinois' largest fireworks display, along the shores of the Rend Lake Dam, in Benton, IL. The lineup includes Eli Young Band, LoCash, Clayton Anderson and more exciting acts to be announced. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, March 20th and can be purchased at www.bluegillfest.com and at Black Diamond Harley Davidson. Drawing fans from around the country, including Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, the festival is at the intersection of some of the nation's most dedicated country music fans. Bluegill Music Festival will feature nationally recognized BBQ vendors from around the country. Interactive entertainment for fans will also include activations, like: bags, washers, bubble soccer, Illinois longest slip n' slide, helicopter rides from Black Diamond Harley Davidson, a mechanical bull, a kids area with a large inflatable slide and the "Bluegill Lagoon", featuring a 60 x 100' VIP beach, with cabanas, private wading pools & lounge area. Additionally, Southern Illinois' largest fireworks display will begin at 9:30pm, and is free for all guest.

A local favorite since 1928, White Pines is conveniently located minutes from O'Hare, and its two year-round 18-hole courses are situated on 240 beautiful acres. Banquet facilities are perfect for golf outings, weddings, business or social events, large and small.

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Enjoy a variety of daily and weekly food and drink specials, along with craft beers offered on tap and by the bottle. Seasonal patio dining available, and the new bar area has sitting room for 38 guests, boasting multiple HDTV screens.

The Bensenville Park District and the DuPage County Forest Preserve have been working to restore this property and land. Fischer Farm is believed to be one of the oldest remaining homesteads in the county. Explore the buildings, touch the artifacts, and connect with history.

Bryant Cottage was built in 1856 by Francis E. Bryant (1818-1889), a friend and political ally of Senator Stephen A. Douglas. According to Bryant family tradition, on the evening of July 29, 1858, Douglas and Abraham Lincoln conferred in the parlor of this house to plan the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates. The picturesque one-story, four-room wood frame cottage has been “restored” and is interpreted as an example of a middle-class life in mid-nineteenth-century Illinois. The furniture on display is of the Renaissance Revival style, appropriate for a small-town family of the mid-nineteenth century. The cottage is accessible to persons with disabilities. The site hosts portions of a variety of locally sponsored events throughout the year.

Location for many events including craft shows, auto shows, animal shows, softball & volleyball games, and the Boone County Fair (held in August). Also see one-room school house relocated from northern Boone County.

The Belvidere Park District spans stretches of the Kishwaukee River and Mill Race. It's a great place for fishing, biking and playing tennis, and includes a playground, picnic shelters, pool, swinging bridge and the historic Baltic Mill.

Explore this varied collection of local memorabilia. The museum includes a log home, Civil War artifacts, a natural history room, historic dolls, clothes, tools and transportation ranging from a 1906 Eldredge Runabout to Belvidere's first Chrysler.

A shopping experience like no other, this store has floor-to-ceiling gifts from around the would. Its specialties include handmade oak and Amish furniture, jewelry, linens, cards, Christmas items and more.

Get all your party supplies here! We rent just about everything, from blow-up obstacle courses, to tables and chairs, to wedding trellises. We also carry all sorts of tools and machinery to suit your needs.

Stop by and see their new location in Winter Plaza in Belvidere. Many wonderful gift items, fresh flowers, green plants, personalized service, and silk arrangements for home and office. Delivery all around the world -- AFS and Teleflora wire services.

Large European and American furniture from 1840's to 1930's: armoires, sideboards, tables, bureaus, chairs. More than 1,000 stained and beveled glass windows, some matching. Owner makes several annual European buying trips.

This beautiful 18-hole golf course is enjoyable for all levels of golfers, located just minutes from Rockford in Belvidere. Opening for its first golfers in the Spring of 1995 and offering one of the Midwest's most desirable courses to play, with 168 acres of meticulously maintained fairways and greens and a completely tree lined property. A creek runs through Swanhills and comes into play on several holes along with 3 ponds that will challenge the accuracy of the golfer.

Here, at The Country Club, we produce handmade candles, soaps and bath products. Our wonderful soaps, lotions and bath bombs are carried in stores nationally and locally. Our hand-raised goats provide us with milk, which is used in many of our products. We have a full line of glycerin soap by the slice, and cold process soaps, as well as silky goat milk lotion in many fantastic fragrances. Our candles are well-known, and come in a huge variety of scents. We are really just a little shop full of unique soaps, candles and bath products.

Over 150 varieties of novelty candy, nuts and chocolate covered nuts. Antique soda fountain, shake machine, and freezers in use to bring back the memories of the good old days. Music from the 1950s and 1960s. Come by and turn back the clock. Closed during winter months.

Pettit Memorial Chapel, located in Belvidere Cemetery, was designed by Frank Llyod Wright and erected in 1907. Brochures available for self-guided historic tours. Open daily, 8am - sunset. Tours available by appointment.

Summerfield Zoo is home to a large variety of exotic animals, ranging from reindeer and monkeys to camels and mountain lions. We are proud to offer an up close and personal animal experience. While at the zoo, enjoy our education and fun animal encounter presentations. Summerfield Zoo is open selected weekends May through November.

Welcome to the Americas Best Value Inn of Belvidere, IL. We are located in north central Illinois. Our newly renovated exterior access facility offers 44 guest rooms and 2 efficiencies. All guest rooms and efficiencies are furnished with complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access, cable TV, complimentary local calls, and wake-up service. Our efficiencies also feature a kitchenette with a stove. For your convenience, we offer fax and copy service at our 24-hour front desk and complimentary wireless Internet access in our 24-hour lobby. Take a moment to enjoy our complimentary continental breakfast served every morning and our picnic area. Come experience the value of staying at Americas Best Value Inn Belvidere/Rockford.

Community Farmer's' Market. Due to their commitment to quality and freshness, not all products are available all year round. The farmers bring only their produce to market in their freshest state so not all selections are in stock every week. The Market does its best to ensure seasonal produce is abundantly available during harvest time. Open seasonally June through October.

Take a journey on the Illinois Lincoln Highway, a 179 mile National Scenic Byway. From the Indiana border, west toward the mighty MIssissippi, you will find an adventure filled with variety, rich in history and heritage. As you travel the Lincoln Highway route across northern Illinois, take time to discover each communities' unique culture and special offerings and find a past era woven together with the present.

The Boone County Conservation District manages over 3,00 acres of prairies, woodlands and wetlands in scenic Boone County, Illinois. Minimum impact recreational opportunities, special events and educational programs are offered to the public throughout the year.

The Northern Illinois Wine Trail is a unique collection of 40 wineries and vineyards, each distinctive and picturesque in its own way. Follow the Northern Illinois Wine Trail from downtown Chicago’s urban splendor to the unmatched scenic beauty of Galena and Northwest Illinois. You can choose to visit one winery, experience several wineries within one of our three geographic loops, or go all out and experience everything the Northern Illinois Wine Trail has to offer from East to West. Regardless of how you choose to experience the Northern Illinois Wine Trail; the staff of our family-owned wineries and vineyards are there to welcome you with incomparable Midwest hospitality and service - not to mention numerous award-winning Illinois wines.

The Belleville campus at SWIC has two gymnasiums: the Varsity and Intramural (IM), which can accommodate up to three basketball or volleyball courts at one time. Outdoors, the property features one baseball and one softball diamond, along with a full-size soccer field.

Founded in 1991, The Orchards Golf Club in Belleville, Illinois features a 18 hole championship style golf course, restaurant and banquet facilities. Open to the public, we also offer golf lessons, memberships & specials with friendly service and affordable prices.

Designed by golf legends Pete Dye and Bob Goalby, Yorktown offers an 18-hole lit par 3 golf course. Yorktown is the perfect place for fundraisers, office outings, family time or just working on your short game. We offer a driving range (which will have new mats and balls for the 2015 season) a large putting green and a cozy clubhouse that offers sandwiches, snacks and a fully stocked bar.

Bracelets & More features unique, custom jewelry by Sandy Schoenborn and Kathy Going. Bracelets & More also offers a wide variety of Bali silver and swarovski crystal. Also, a large selection of handbags and leather jewelry cases.

Circa Boutique features a unique blend of apparel. For over 2 years Circa Boutique features a unique blend of cozy, edgy apparel. Lines include Tulle, Kenzie, split, Free People, LTB Jeans, and She-Bible.

Open for 25 years, Crystal & Spice Shoppe is located in a turn-of-the-century building and has walls lined with jars and jars of coffee bean and spices. Also, a wide variety of Aromatique oils, fine loose tea, and dried herbs.

Operating since 1976, Don Rodger's Boutique offers a wide variety of men's and women's clothing and accessories. Don Rodger's clothing is fun, unique, and timeless. Also, Don Rodger's has one of the largest selections of sansabelts in the Metro, St. Louis area.

The Labor & Industry Museum is the only public institution devoted to the history of the labor and industry of Belleville and southwestern Illinois. The centerpiece is Jumbo, a 19th-century steam engine along with coal mining, carpentry, and stove-making exhibits.

This Victorian adaptation of a Greek Revival home was built in the early 1800s. In addition to period furniture and vintage clothing, artifacts, and quilts, the museum contains an extensive research library and gift shop.